New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-10
RICHARD MANSFIELD AT HOME.
A BUSY YOUNG ACTOR.

szY' BUSY YOUNG ACTOR.
visitor who called on Richard Mansfield ct the
Victoria Hotel the other day was taken up in tho
elevator until he thought he destined to land the
roof Luckily what English friends land the
Victoria is exceedingly Engsh) call the lift stopped
floor two short of that airy situation. However, a.
the hotel Is pretty high one, the visitor found he was
far above the surrounding rooftops when be glanced
out OF corridor window his way to the actors apart
ments These he found tucked away In o corner OF the
great csravansere and charming little apartments they
are Plainly but neatly furnished, the stting-room
struck the visitor at the abode OF workman and
not OF man Of pleasure. In the corner diagonally
opposite the door window through which view
OF the hazy North River and dark blue heights of tho
opposite shore caught the tops OF the graceful
foliage plants which stood the windOwstll on ono
side stood upright piano. tho open and the
top Uttered with sheets OF musc much of it In manu-
scrpt on the other side little predieu writing
desk at which the occupant Of the writing In
his shirtsleeves when he to greet the ncomer.
With the exception Of the growing plants which in
every nook and corner, the devoid Of 0rna-
ment. There were not the feminine photographs
usually to be found nttering tho of prominent
actor portrait of Poe and Of q couple of the
members Of his company were all that were to be
There heaps Of books, however, plays of all
and editions from the familiar yellow papcr-covered
French to brown and rather moldy looking volume
Chords respective fathers born. You find mo
busy" said Mr. Mansfield, but glad of the inter-
rupton for have been hard at 1t since got home
from rehearsal believe in hard work." he added
my company will tell you for believe In 1t for them
well myself" He then sketched out In answer to
query the plan Of each days work with thermometer
averaging eighty degrees Rise 1880 sharp; breakfast
with BOOK and the morning papers for companions;
theatre at TO- rehearsal at IL home at or 8; work
till 6; dinner and theatre till IL home by ~ or 1890
Yes" said he, lighting fresh cigar-for he smokes
continually-"I believe thoroughly in hard work.
Certain natural abilities Joined to persistent effort mako
a genius out Of many an ordinary mortal. No greater
mistake DO made than to suppose that actors
work is confined to the stage of the theatre alone.
Where this is the any real advancement In his art Is
impossible Opportunity, Of course, is necessary but
having this the faculty of work will surely bring
young to the front" AS TO the opportuL ity in
his Mansfield told a curious story Of the
chances which led to the production and Of
Prince KARL Early In 1885 he found himself in New
York, professionally speaking, at his last gasp John
Ses0n teegraphed him offer of the part Of Koko in
the Park Theatre "Mikado Company. Much against
his will he consented and his visitor remembered recev.
ing at that time telegram from him to this eect Go
to Boston tonight to play Koko for stetson tell him
that should be fnner Hamlet" Nevertheless he set
to work resolutely the part and made in it pro-
nounced hit, playing for two months.
Mr.. Stetson had agreed to produce Prince Karl |"
after the run of MIkado" but he was unwilling to do
so Mansfield walked into the Office Of Field Of the,
Museum day. He found his advent hailed by that
manager as a providential happening Owing to the
failure Of Boucicault to produce The spawife" Mr.
Field found himself without attraction with which
to end his season. He eagerly accepted Mansneld's
proposition to revive The Partisan Romance" and
afterward to produce Prince Karl" Both to cx-
rcmey large business and here with the close Of the
S.,A 4 srd hs
found himself with the Madison Square Theatre on his
Pnce Kari brought to Ssreo
and dd not prove q first hit SO that after two WEEKS
secured company IN three days rented the theatre Oh
his own responsbility. and tho despised play ran
moro taken the theatre. though It Is per6sp.
and at expense Of some $4,000 for the summer.
Talking to his visitor OF his new play he said: DO
not expect too much from II, for it Is tre writ
ten on the spur Of the moment Ihave tried to write
parts to suit each member Of my company and have
all worked very hard at it, perhaps 1t may please
all hope At all events 1t will only until the pro-
ducton, later on, Of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde have
TO thank my company by the way for much Of good
fortune They all earnest energetic people and
clever to boot think you know an actor never 50
handicapped when he has to play with incompetent
Il think work q little harder than some men, per-
haps, because remember well the past and have
wholesome terror of suffering repetition Of II. Tho
scenes In Monsieur are many Of them drawn absO-
lutey from fe with, Of course such additions tho
love and which In my life have
existed. The fanting at the piano
IN the first aot for instance ocourred to In London
wnen made my debut as entertainer. am not
anxious to drag myself and my life story into prom
inence, but don't see any harm in using personal
experience and thus, possible, turning loss into
gain The play Is merely SKETCH and 1t pleasantly be-
guiles two hours away my purpose will be accom-
plshcd"
Mr. Mansfield spoke feengly Of the debt that he fet
be owed to NEWCOMERS for supporting him as they
have ut this Of the year. Perhaps" he said
they realize that actors lot in midsummer is not
altogether happy and want to show kindness to
young man who is fighting against some odds" He
spoke Of the hope he entertained Of day managing
his theatre here and his belief In the necessity Of
carefully staging all productions. think you will be
pleased" said he with the setting both of Monsieur
and DR. Jekyll" AS to his plans for next season he
sad he would rely careful revival Of "The Partisan
Romance" well on Dr. Jekyll -; and during his
annual engagement at the Boston Museum he will pro-
luce Roman drama from Italian source, In which he
plays powerful character part
ITCHING